Now Aquadoc wrote a great post comparing Mulroy to Robert Moses of NYC. He notes how both -- "mere" bureaucrats -- were able to change the courses of their cities.

Bottom Line: Bureaucrats are around longer than politicians, who move on, up or out. They can wield real power. Check out section 3.2.2 of my dissertation if you want to see how Mulholland (of Owens Valley fame) changed "the facts" to get a Colorado River Aqueduct to Southern California. [I also made the comparison here.]